Strictly Come Dancing, Sunday, BBC1

Posted by Liberty Jones

People's favourite John Sergeant stole the show yet again in this week's Strictly, winning enthusiastic applause for his American Smooth. The man rather unfairly dubbed the "dancing pig" bravely attempted two lifts during his routine and bagged 25 points – his highest score to date.

"Your footwork was not a total disaster," Bruno grudgingly conceded. Arlene paid him an even bigger compliment, saying: "For the first time John, I really get what other people see in you. It was quite endearing, and you did get that Hollywood feel – although it was more Mickey Rooney than Fred Astaire."

Rachel Stevens' rumba was the evening's other highlight. When Brucie revealed she was in floods of tears after being forced to perform in last week's dance-off, we rolled our eyes in disgust, thinking the former pop star was going for the sympathy vote. But no – Rachel's secret weapon turned out to be S-E-X, as she smooched and smouldered her way around the dancefloor in a daring cutaway dress with partner Vincent Simone.

The judges were bowled over. "It was a little bit lewd and lustful… almost indecent," Craig declared. "But I loved it!" Meanwhile, Arlene admitted: "It's the first time in this series I've felt goosebumps." Rachel's performance earned her a whopping 39 – the best score of the series so far, and just one point away from perfection.

It was a high-scoring night all round, with nines and tens being flung around like confetti, so it was impossible to predict who would be in the bottom two. In the event, Lisa Snowdon and Cherie Lunghi drew the short straws – to the judges' obvious disappointment.

Both couples showed tremendous improvement in the dance-off and the judges' decision was split, with Craig and Arlene voting to save Lisa, and Bruno plumping for Cherie. It fell to chairman Len to cast the deciding vote – and he chose Lisa. As Cherie quit the dancefloor, nursing a stiff upper lip, her dance partner James Jordan issued a heartfelt plea to the viewers at home, urging them to vote for the best dancers in future. We can't help agreeing with him... entertaining as he is, surely John has reached his sell-by date. Hasn't he, folks?

Picture: BBC

SEE ALSO
Arlene's anger as John stays >>

Comments

[Alan Askew]

When the contestants were invited to appear on the show ther selectors must have been aware that John was 64 years old and not of an athletic build, unlike the other contestants. Common sense says that John has no chance of reaching the same standard as Rachael or Austin. So why did they invite John on to the show? As cannon fodder perhaps, to ridicule him for a week or two until the other dancers start to really look good and then to have him voted out. Unfortunately this backfired on them as the public really like John and their stunt has really backfired on them. Fortunately John has proved himself a real gentleman and has spared them further embarresment.

[shona mummery]

Hello!! If it was a purly dancing competition then the public wouln't vote! Get a grip - if the bbc ask for people to vote their favorite dancer then they should gracefully accept what we choose. Sorry to see John go.

[Carol Heyman]

The bottom line is that it is a dancing competition not a personality competition. If anyone has a flair for dancing then it will show sadly John did not have a clue and so he must go. However in these instances I think the Judges should have the deciding vote over the public because it is making a mockery of the competition. I think the judges should have the final say not the public, what do they know. However that won't happen because it is a nice lot of money for the BBC which helps to pay the enormous salary of the likes of Jonathan Ross.

[Derek TDobson]

If John Sergeant has quit Strictly Come Dancing this says little for other contestants, cry-baby James Jordan should be presented with a dummy. Surely any competition is about entertaining the viewers, we the viewers pay the licence fee and we have a right when we pay for the phone call to vote for who we like. James Jordon should take a look at Cherie Lungie, don’t tell me she as never danced before, does he think that is fare to other competitors or perhaps if he cannot win he is taking is bat and ball home. If John Sergeant as quit the other competitors should support him and also quit the show in support. I as a viewer am pig sick of some of the remarks by judges and they should consider there position. The judges have two bites of the cherry when deciding who will be eliminated in the dance off, surely who came bottom of the phone in should be eliminated.

[CZ]

Arlene would not have a job if viewers did not lift the phone and vote. I do not like to see anyone bullied as John has been by the judges. It is a public vote I was watching because of John this has left a very bad taste and I wont watch any more.

[Brenda]

I think that John has been an absolute gentleman - to the end. He may not be the best dancer but he did add some humour to the proceedings and did it with a smile. Well done him.

[CZ]

Arlene would not have a job if viewers did not lift the phone and vote. I do not like to see anyone bullied as John has been by the judges. It is a public vote I was watching because of John this has left a very bad taste and I wont watch any more.

[R Baldwin]

Shame John is leaving, I would not be surprised if he was asked to leave for the continued sake of the programme in years to come! and leave in a dignified way such as standing down... what a shame as I believe he has even raised the profile of the program as I am sure many viewers had switched to see what all the fuss was about! I wonder what viewing figures will be like from now on?

[june]

I think John improved greatly this week the fact that he did two lifts well was amazing, but his dancing standard is so far below everyone else that it is not fair that someone else should go instead of him. So I applaude him for doing the decent thing and leaving,after all it is a dancing competition.

[d. early]

regarding johns departure the can i remind the judges that the public vote account for 50% of the points the contestants recieve which they are paying for including the judges fees i'm sure for the show and if the judges are so stupid that if they would have relised that had given john and his partner a reaonable score then they might not be in this position and i'm quite sure that there will be a fall in the number of votes this week and i just wounder who is going to be next on the judges hit list to be thrown out

[Maureen]

I'm so glad that John has done the decent thing and retired from the show. It's not his fault that so many viewers do not appreciate the finer points of dancing, so I'm very pleased that I and countless others can now enjoy the fantastic show the other dancers give us. My favourite show of the week.

[Barry]

Arlene Phillips is SO TWO FACED !!!!

Complains about John Sergent on the programme then allegedly is sorry to see him go

get a grip woman !!

[Rob Horton]

I personaly wanted John sergeant to stay in, just so i could keep my eyes on his beautifull dance partner, i think its all gone off the rails a bit the same as every other reality TV show, none of the judges can decide if they're good cop or bad cop, as stated above more than once its an entertainment show and John is entertaining, if they want it to be serious get rid of the celebrity bit!

[Amanda]

Hellooooo....I totally disagree with you Malcom Wild. This is susposed to be an entertainment programme. I am sure if it were to be a professional compition, a lot of people may not bother to view it let alone to waste their money to vote. People are looking for ways of taking their minds off the credit crunch and a good laugh from John is a great opportunity!Let John be.

[margret]

So glad John is going it was turning the show into farce, after all it is a dancing competition not a personality show. Lets get back to the real dancing which the show should be all about.

[Bernard Whittington]

I am Sorry that John has decided to quit "Strictly" but to be fair, there was other Celebrirties that were So Much better than him, and did'ent deserve to be voted off. I will say that he was always cheerful, had a very nice personality, and spoke very well, and I am sure that he was very good at what he does in politics.
I will miss seeing John, as he was always cheerful.

[Chas Hawkes]

I was seething at the fact John Sergeant got through and put out yet another good dancer, I dont see how he looks sexy and I think his dancing is appauling, the mind boggles at how the public have kept him in and I am glad he is leaving.

[Howard Toon]

Whoever 'wins'the show now has got to consider themselves second best.
The show was meant to attract viewres' support but has now descended into shambles because the the bitchy judges couldn't accept that their opinion was being ignored by the people who pay the icence fee.

[Jenny Smedley]

I am upset to feel that John has resiged it is a shame this should not happen who are they going to put in place of him If the judges were not so curel he would probaly not be there now

[Alison Rowe]

I am a real fan of Strictly, i think John has had his fun, he tried but voters have been unfair to other viewers and competitors by voting him back in. I admire John's courage to have carried on, and feel he's doing the right thing.Really public votes are to me actually humilliating him and his intelligence, which isn't kind and certainly not in the spirit of the charity fundraising show, which i think in someways has been forgotten.

[nicki lakin]

i think john is a fantastic bloke that tries hard throughout the competition, he has made me laugh on lots of occasions on the show. it is not john's fault if the public decide to keep voting him in every week. its a shame to see him leave but no it is time to take a step down and let the more better celebs strut their stuff!!!! well done john

[Paula]

Why was John invited to take part in the show, if they thought he could not win.
Was he just the 'stooge' for the real dancers?

[dave]

I think John is only playing the game according to the rules.
He didn't make the rules so perhaps if the "know all" judges didn't behave in the way they have John would have been voted off by now. It serves them right that he is still there. There are many ladies that watch the show for the dancing knowing full well that they can never emulate the highly trained, very scantilly dressed professionals. As mere male, slightly older than JS, I used to leave her to watch it as there is no way I can even understand what is good or bad unless someone makes a huge error.
Now I watch in the hope that John will bring us weight and years disadvantaged men a ray of hope of tripping the light fantastic at Christmas especially after a good lunch.
The BBC and the judges cannot have it both ways. Audience ratings equals salaries. Some of the BBC presenters are so over-paid they have to recoup credibility somehow. That's entertainment

[annie]

I want John to win I know he won't but he does give us some entertainment.Its not to be taken so seriously so lighten up Greville Horwood.When we will see the judges dance? that should be good for a laugh so leave our John alone

[Val]

At the end of the day the end result will not be affected by John so please leave the poor man alone, what harm is he doing?

[Chris]

Im sorry but its a TV show - its and entertainment show on a channel that we pay for so is there any reason why the public cant vote for who they feel is entertaining.
Yes its a dance competition but lets be honest he is dancing and doing a good job within his ability - from not being able to dance at all at the start. I think people should get off the high horses here and enjoy the entertainment its and he is bringing - he is never going to win the show but its still good to see his hard work is keeping him in

[Brian]

I feel the producers should take some of the responsibility for putting John Sergeant in as it is obvious he would not be able to compete on the same level. It has now turned the show into a farce and comedy, not a dancing competition as it should be. There are other shows available if people want to watch comedy. Also John Sergeant is making a complete fool of himself and he is deluding his self if he thinks it is entertainment.

[Jane]

Thanks for your support Andrew!!I love strictly for its entertainment value and as usual programs like this get spoilt by people getting to serious!! Wish people would lighten up a bit lets have fun and have a laugh its not life or death is it????????????

[Anne]

I agree with Paul that the bottom couple should be automatically put into the dance off. It's a disgrace and an utter sham that more competent dancers are knocked out of the competition just because people apparantly "love John" (though I fail to see why....)

[bev&kir]

great show but please leave John alone. it is afterall a talent show and he has huge talent.
kir: lets see more Anton.

[Martin]

Enough about the dancers, what about the "compare". With the "evergreen" Bruce F as anchor man, it can only ever be an entertainment programme. So we judge it on that basis, to which John continues to add value. However, all the competitors, are wonderful and add glamour and glitz to early Saturday evening viewing. What about marks for "best improvement" as many of the competitors, like John, are starting formal dancing from scratch?

[Charlie]

I feel that the judges have a role to play in the success of John to date
Their inappropriate remarks such as "help the aged" "reduced to private" plus their off stage comments and 1 mark of 1 from Craig, all fuel the audience to vote for John who who has remained professional throughout. If Len and his team can act more professional,positive and ballanced with their comments,this will rub off onto the public(10 million), the voting will therefore reflect the true results and John will go
But its up to those who created the problem "THE JUDGES"

[andrew]

I have to agree entirely with Jane. But I would also like to add,there is no need for the nasty personal comments to John from the Judges, he is only going by the rules. And its great to see people power, over jumped up overpaid Judges. Get rid of characters and the show will be on a Wednesday night at 10.30

[Tel]

The public have to pay to cast their vote and are not going to waste their money by voting for John 'for a laugh' Many vote for the person who they see as the ideal partner for themselves on the dance floor.
If this is supposed to be a 'Saturday Night Fever'type contest then someone of Johns age and build should not have been entered.But then the money would not be spent on voting would it???

[Yvonne]

I'm a bit tired of all the blaming and moaning about John Sergeant. The competition is between the couples who CAN dance and John's presence merely means that the other couples have to compete that bit harder against each other because there is one fewer 'safe' place.

If John was removed from the equation, it wouldn't change the dynamics between the other couples and in the end there'll be one winner but it won't be John, so what's changed?

This isn't a serious dancing competition, it's an entertainment show. John's presence keeps it entertaining by removing the forgone conclusion on who stays and who goes each week.
If people want a serious dancing competition let's return to the original Come Dancing....I remember how mindblowingly boring that was.

Stop demonising the poor man over what's supposed to be a bit of fun.

[Mr Downe]

For me the show has already lost lots of its appeal, it is a dancing competition, and i feel for the dancers and the professionals who work there socks off all week to get the best Quality and perpormance they can, only to be thwarted by the worst possible dancer the show has ever seen,we might as well bring in a couple of dozen Mr Blobbys, and just watch them, It will have to change or ratings will soon fall

[Helen Small]

The BBC can't have it both ways.... They can't say the public have half the vote and then throw their hands up in horror at the results! And don't forget what Tess Daly says every time the subject of phoning comes up...'vote for your FAVOURITE' she says. So people are doing just that. Maybe next year the BBC need to give the judges more weight in the voting.

[David Coppen]

I think the bbc should have a change of professional dancers now all the same faces year after year, we have tried to get on but were told we were to old we have been professional longer than some of the others, also how about more basic figures with 1 or 2 advanced variations lets see some dancing that everyone can relate to.

[Gillian Hall]

This is a Saturday night ENTERTAINMENT show. John Sargent is, in his own words, 'playing by the rules. Yes it is a dancing competition but it's supposed to be fun isn't it??? And why try to control who the viewers vote for, surely this defeats the object of the voting system????

[Pat Birt]

Its time John was given his MARCHING orders. I thought this show was all about dancing, if thats the case, why oh why is John still in the competition. If its about personality, then lets call it that. If John had any feelings for his fellow dancers, then he should take a walk NOW!!

[ALAN CHURCHILL]

Its only a bit of fun on a
saturday night whats all the fuss about.

[pam]

What is going on, this is turning into a nightmare, please stop voting for John, he needs to go so a DANCER can win.l agree with Paul change the rules next year so that the person in the bottom is in the dance off.

[Jane Smith]

If this is "just" about dancing WHY are people who are knowingly not capable to be great dancers picked to enter the contest just to be put out on the first show. If this is the big issue then they should only pick people who they know would make good dancers!!!!! Then how boring that would be don't you think???

[Paul]

I think next years show should automatically put the bottom couple each week in the dance off and let the viewers vote for who should join them. I know it's only entertainment, and John is very entertaining, but,it is a dancing competition after all and Cherie and James should still be in the contest.

[Malcolm Wild]

As a former Ballroom and Latin competitor i cannot help but feel that the competition has moved away from dancing and is more entertainment. This we can get on most other programs and i feel that Strictly is in danger of losing its identity and with it is appeal. Please lets return to a dance competition.